In this edition:

Down on the farm 46 last month 9/22

Klemm L25C G-ACXE

We had experienced starting difficulties so have decided to fit a priming pump and although we had one with the project it was not complete. We have decided to install it under the right hand engine cowl. So that to start it from cold the engine cowls sides would be lifted up for inspection, the pump operated say 3 times for a normal day and more or less to suit the temperature on the day. So a new bracket had to be fabricated and installed in a suitable place to suit the operation i.e. strong enough to take the loads, close to the fuel supply and close to the port in the inlet manifold. Fuel lines to and from the unit will have to be covered in fire sleeve.

After rebuilding the oil pump we still don’t have the required oil pressure, so we are looking at the plain bush on the crankshaft within the front gearbox cover plate. It is a sleeve with oil on both sides, we are not sure why it is like this, maybe it compensates for misalignment in the machining?

The rudder, elevator and ailerons have been removed and we are in the process of adding leading edge fabric covers that overlap the original fabric so that the air does not strip of the fabric from the moving surfaces.

The team: Phil Trangmar (inspector) Jim Copeman (Co-owner) Francis Donaldson (LAA) Tony Berryman (test pilot designate)

Flyin at Palmersfarm in August- Saturday 6.8.22

Thankyou everyone who brought raffle prizes and donated to the RAF benevolent fund, see below:

The LAA rally at Popham

Bristell UK had a stand at the show. Due to my broken foot I could not drive a non-automatic so Farry, Kevin and many others helped with logistics, loading, unloading etc. so thank you all. The DH83C had never attended a rally yet and with the situation as it was i.e. closer to home I decided it was the year as it might be sold next year. I asked Tony Berryman nicely if he fancied a day out, so I ordered a 9.00 to 9.30 slot on the Friday and Jim come over early that morning to act as ground crew. We topped up the fuel and went on our way; the weather was Ok until we hit the Surrey Hills where they were shrouded in wall to wall low cloud and had to divert South around the hills. Farnborough reported back that the cloud at Popham was 400 to 500’ yet the published approach was to join overhead at 2000 above ground and they reported that planes were landing. We spoke to Popham (Procedure had said that they would not talk but everyone was!) and joined overhead and was about 3^rd in the circuit with no dramas. We refuelled straight away and then headed back to the park area where we were sent down the hill into an area with bushes. If we did not have brakes we would been in trouble, silly idea!! It must have been difficult with the actual non-braked vintage planes! They had changed by Saturday when they had the judging and my plane was back in Hailsham!!

Rain was forecast for about 16.30 so we left at about 15.45 and had to dodge the rain which was almost right across the way we were going, we did get a small amount of rain on the visors but not a wet crotch thank goodness.

David Faulkner-Bryant our strut founder was at the rally with Don Lord and was coming back to stay with his daughter in East Sussex and then flying back up to Skye on the Tuesday. He had asked if he could pop over to see the planes at home on the Monday, I secretly arranged a flight in 5084 for him which made his day. The picture below recorded his visit.

Goodwood Revival

I went to the Goodwood revival meeting and it was very good as normal but I was limited by my foot to less walking. In the airplane park there was a varied and interesting collection of vintage planes but the one that took my fancy was the ex-Jan Cooper Klemm 25A. I had never had the pleasure of seeing it, so I took a fair number of pics. and spoke to the pilot (Paul Stone the chief pilot at the Shuttleworth collection) about the flying qualities. The 25a needs to be landed with zero crosswinds and when you look at the very small rudder you can see why, the British Klemm 25D has a much bigger rudder so should have some crosswind capability??

Last month’s puzzle aircraft

The picture below came up on my historic aircraft Twitter feed and I was mistaken in thinking it was the design that Tony had designs on. It is actually a Martin Baker MB2, the prototype and only one built. Tony Berryman recognised it and told me: “Photo shows the ‘mast’ extended, this was designed to extend from a retracted position to protect the pilot in the event of a roll over.”

The MB2 prototype flew in 1938. The aircraft I confused it with was designed subsequently and the prototype flew in 1940, after only 9 weeks and 2 days development!

It certainly looks a lot sleeker design. Anyone want to tell me what it is? 🙂

Events

• Strut Club Night this month: Wednesday 5th October, 7:30 pm at The Swiss Cottage, Beer ‘n Chat

For the latest list of events, go to the Events page on the Strut website.